ben miller band Choke Cherry Tree (LP, £14.95)

label: new west

On ‘Choke Cherry Tree’, the Ben
Miller Band have taken another step forward in
both style and content. With lyrics ranging from
irreverent to introspective, offering views on
American history and the societal issues of today,
the band deliver a career-defining album.
 What sets it apart sonically from previous albums
is the addition of two new members, Smilin’ Bob
and Rachel Ammons. The musical palette has
expanded with four-part harmonies and a new
batch of instruments from cello to homemade,
one-off musical creations, forging a sound that is
at once familiar and strange.
 As always, the songs are grounded by the pulsing
washtub bass of Scott Leeper and the raw vocals
and rhythmic slide guitar work of Ben Miller.
 The band’s ongoing evolution into an exciting new
phase shows what has made this band so special
and points to what will make them great in the
years to come.
 LP format includes digital download code.